Sr Vehicle Operations Engineer - Fluids & Mechanical Systems

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! 

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn 9X4, a Super heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to Earth’s orbit and beyond. New Glenn is building the road to space.

As an operations integrator, you will be the authority on all aspects of your subsystem, including CONOPS, functional architecture, components, software, and integrated interactions. You will follow the development component hardware, autonomous software, and integrated development testing, and will be accountable for feeding forward lessons learned into the integrated operation of your subsystem on the flight vehicle.

Working closely with the stage-level Vehicle Operations Integration lead, and you will create a comprehensive set of constraints, alerts, and limits for the New Glenn test and launch teams. The ideal candidate is highly diligent and future thinking, can handle a broad set of sophisticated data, and has a deep passion for Blue Origin’s mission of “Millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth”.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support hardware design reviews and technical assessments
• Develop and maintain Concept of Operations (CONOPS) documentation
• Author operations documents that define product testing requirements, operations lifecycle, maintenance requirements, and critical performance/requirements interfaces across the system.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and operations teams to ensure seamless system integration
• Develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria for Stage 1 mechanical subsystems
• Provide real-time on console support for integrated tests, launch and recovery operations providing essential troubleshooting support.
• Analyze test data and provide actionable recommendations for design improvements
• Support failure analysis and corrective action implementation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field) or another technical field
• 6+ years of proven experience with mechanical systems
• Experience with system engineering principles and processes
• Experience in at least one of the areas of analysis, design, or integrated testing of mechanical systems
• Demonstrated understanding of mechanical system principles, components, and operations
• Self-directed and capable of balancing several tasks at one time

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with launch vehicles and mechanical aerospace systems (TVC, Electro-mechanical Actuators (EMAs)/Mechanisms, landing systems)
• Experience with high-pressure mechanical and fluids systems, including pumps, actuators, valves, accumulators, and fluid conditioning systems
• Hands-on experience with mechanical and fluids system testing, troubleshooting, and performance optimization
• Knowledge of Fluid system design, including P&ID development
• Experience with electromechanical and electrohydraulic actuators and control systems
• Experience with Cryogenic fluid systems
• Experience in system development and integration, preferably with aerospace flight hardware
• Familiarity with current systems engineering and integration tools and methodologies
• Experience with systems engineering tools such as DOORS Next Gen
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.